Del McCoury Band in Concert in Ohio

[Bernie Daniel]

I got to see the Del McCoury band at play at the Miami University Hamilton campus last Sunday afternoon. One of the tightest performances you will ever see. Such a great show every song is a keeper. The crowd was so fired up that for most of the show Del just took requests.

Some woman asked for Rocky Top but he declined on that one

All you can say about the mandolin work of Ronnie is that it is excellent and totally unique. He has his own style and he is a master of the discordant notes that he just adds whenever he feels like it with no effort I guess.

I was too far away to see exactly what he was playing -- he had a Gibson of some king -- if it was his Loar that thing must be in like new condition.

I will guess it was a DMM he had that afternoon -- whatever in his hands it was very inspiring.

And the singing is excellent with the addition of Jason Carter (bass) the band now has 4 top line singers with Ronnie and Adam Bartram (fiddle) in additon to Del. Rob can sing but doesn't much. Be sure to catch them live if you can.

[jjboone101]

Saw Del & the Boys last month and got to chat with Ronnie a bit before/after the show. His Loar does indeed look new, because as the story goes it was discovered under a bed somewhere in Mexico and was largely unplayed for the last 80+ years. He makes it sing!

btw, Jason plays fiddle and has been with the band for years. Only recent addition was Alan Bartram on bass (replacing Mike Bub).

[AlanN]

I think Bernie was talking bass vocals.

[Bernie Daniel]

I didn't mean to imply that Adam was a recent addition -- only Jason.

And as Alan notes -- his voice is in the barritone/bass range -- he only sang one solo so I'm not 100% clear on his range but he had a powerful and clear voice -- it knocked everyone's socks off.

So maybe it was his Loar then -- cool.

[sgarrity]

I'm going to see the tomorrow night in Norfolk, VA. Looking forward to it!

[MadMax]

I saw the Miami University concert also. The quality of musicianship was outstanding. You can tell that the core of the band has been together for a long time.

Del is one of the most gracious entertainers I've ever seen. He relates well to the audience (he told the woman that requested "Rocky Top" that he would tell Bobby Osborne to come to Hamilton, Ohio and sing it for her) and is completely at ease on stage. He also said during the show that he's approaching 50 years in the music business. It's hard to believe that so much time has passed so quickly.

After the show, he was at the record table within seconds and was posing for pictures and signing autographs. It's easy to see why he is so well liked by his fans.

I go to bluegrass shows these days in wistful hope that I might hear some short burst of brilliance that reminds me for a moment of the sound of the Blue Grass Boys. Del McCoury's show is the closest thing to it that I've heard in the last twelve years. I think his old bossman would be proud.

[first string]

Saw them in NoVa at the Birchmere a few weeks back. Man do they put on a great show. I'm normally more of a Newgrass kind of guy (Strength In Numbers, the solo projects of all involved in that album, Thile, Marshall, etc) but the Del McCoury Band is just phenomenal. Listening to them, I sort of get to thinking that Bluegrass is a lot like Rock and Roll (but with better musicianship ). They give new meaning to the word drive...Which is something I at least associate with Bluegrass (as a musical form distinct from Old Time, Appalachian, Celtic, what have you).

[Mike Bunting]

I didn't mean to imply that Adam was a recent addition -- only Jason.

Adam is the recent addition.

[tango_grass]

Del McCoury Band is great! and Ronnie is one of the top players, and one of my bigger influences.

It should be noted that Alan Bartram is the newest addition on Bass, and Jason Carter, is one of the best fiddlers in the business.

[EggerRidgeBoy]

I didn't mean to imply that Adam was a recent addition -- only Jason.


Jason Carter has played fiddle with the band since 1992. Alan Bartram joined on bass in 2005, replacing Mike Bub.

[Tripp Johnson]

My favorite bluegrass band. Just watching them work the mic is worth the price of admission!

[Bernie Daniel]

Ok for some reason I transposed the names.

[sgarrity]

The show tonight in Norfolk has been cancelled and rescheduled for January 28th. I hope the band and their families are all ok. But it really aggravates me when bands cancel or reschedule the day of the show.

[Tripp Johnson]

Bummer! Any idea why the resched???

[sgarrity]

The website didn't offer an explanation and I didn't dig any further. I'll try to see them in Jan. and hope they have the scheduling conflicts worked out

[bones12]

The Del McCoury Band played at the Flynn Theater last night in Burlington, Vermont and were spot on. Great sound in a large venue with very innovative playing. I always forget how Del really loves the blues side. Ronnie was tasteful and Jason very moving. Two hours of good pacing and requests warmed up a cold night outside. The mandola filled encore lasted 15 minutes and was enthralling. It was a great performance. Doug in Vermont

[Tim Pike]

Del and the band played in Medford Oregon a few years ago in a small theatre we have here. Following the show they signed autographs, posed for pictures and chatted with their fans in the lobby for at least one hour. I and everyone else there that night will never forget how "down to earth" they were. They could have left for their hotel following the show but stayed for their fans-a true testament of their character.

[sgarrity]

Del and The Boys did indeed make it to Norfolk last night and put on one heckuva show. They have to be one of the tightest BG bands working today AND you could tell they were having a blast on stage. I have to admit that Del's voice was a bit of an acquired taste for me. But man can he sing those high tenor parts. Ronnies is an excellent vocalist as well and should have no problem stepping into his dad's shoes if and when Del decides to retire.

A few real standouts of the show were:
1) Ronnie's Loar and his pickin. That mandolin sounded simply amazing. Deep, dry, woody tone that really cut through the mix. And of course Ronnie's playing had a lot to do with it! His style is rooted in tradition but is also very forward thinking.
2) Their bass player Alan Bartram was great. I can't believe that it's been over three years since Mike Bub left the band. Seems like it was just a few months ago. Man time flies! LOL Alan sang Rocky Road Blues and the guy has some serious pipes. He's got a very strong, clear, powerful voice. If he does a solo project, I'll definitely buy it. The crowd loved his song!
3) Mandola time on My Love Will Not Change. They did about a 10 minute extended jam version of this tune with Ronnie tearin' it up on his Gil 'dola. The 'dola sounded SOOOO good in that context. I wish more bluegrass bands would incorporate one into their music. It really fits!
4) This a combination of highlight and criticism. They play a lot of fast songs and tunes and the whole band has the chops to pull it off flawlessly. But they played John Henry and Bluegrass Breakdown faster than I can think. They were smokin' on those tunes!

A band from NC called No Strings Attached opened for them with about a 45 min set. I hadn't heard these guys before but they were new and fresh sounding. Kinda like a cross between OSFT and the Del McCoury Band. I bet we hear more from them in the future.

Overall, a very satisfying night of up tempo bluegrass music.

[Dennis Ladd]

When I saw them play at McCabe's in Santa Monica a few years back, Del McCoury's pride in his sons was clear. When the audience applauded at a solo by Rob or Ronnie, Del looked out at the audience, smled (sometimes winked) as if to say, "You got that right. These are my boys!"

[R. Kane]

I have it on good authority that there are plenty of seats available for the Feb. 8 show in New Haven, CT.

http://www.guitartownct.com

Any other Cafe members going?